In my experience and as a result of study, what you have experienced is dealing with religious businesses. To survive, these businesses need participating members to support their business financially as well as physically. Some 30 years ago now, because of this very thing, and the doctrines and traditions which didn't square with what the scriptures actually said, we left these many religions, and started studying for ourselves, placing our trust in God to reveal Himself to us, outside of mainstream religions of the world we were born into.
It was the same for those born in Paul's Time, in my view, with the Jews religion, and their manmade shrines of worship and religious traditions which caused those who followed them to Transgress God's Commandments.
If a person is seeking a religion, they are many and easy to find, but a person is then relying on the philosophies of men to guide them, which changes from one religious business or sect to another as they compete for contributing members without which their business could not survive.
But if a person is Seeking to know the One True God, And the Jesus of the Bible that this God sent, they can be found in the comfort of your own homes, in study of the Scriptures which Paul said were trustworthy "
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness".
As Promised, we have the Oracles of God in our own homes now, and do not need to rely on corruptible men, to learn about the God of Abraham, and His Son who this God sent.
I highly recommend this avenue to God, especially given all the warnings in scriptures about "many" deceivers coming in Christ's Name.
I am, of course, a nobody, nevertheless, I have found that God is faithful to reveal Himself to those who are Seeking Him from the heart.
It's not always easy, and there is a cost, as the Jesus of the bible teaches, but what is gained, is far greater than what is lost in my experience, even in this world, not to mention the world to come.
If you are truly seeking Him, you will find Him.